RAINY Season!!!

When we were researching Tamil Nadu, we were SHOCKED to see the amount of rain that falls throughout the state during "rainy season". There was as much rain in a month as York, PA gets all year!

When we got here, we found out that in THIS area of Tamil Nadu, the rain is not quite as torrential. However, there is a DEFINITE rainy season...and we are just now getting out of it.

For the past 4 weeks, it has rained every single day. (The past 3 days it has not at all...and the locals are calling it the END of rainy season). Sometimes the rain would come in sheets! Sometimes buckets and sometimes drizzle...but it would rain EVERY day. The sun was a rare sight to see for that time and I forgot how much I missed it.

Rainy season absolutely lived up to its name!

Rainy season was also a bit "rainy" for us. Zaili had a very short, very minor bout of homesickness and the day after it, we found out that our cat, Habakkuk, died. It was completely shocking because she was completely healthy when we left and completely healthy up until the day before she died!

Logically I tell myself that death is a part of life and that Zaili (and each of us) will have to learn to deal with the bitter taste that death leaves. As a dad...as the person who had to break the news to her that her cat died..........logic is moot. Logic didn't have to comfort her as she sobbed. Logic didn't have to see her face when she found out. Logic doesn't have to replay the moment in its head time after time. Rainy season has been difficult.

Through the rough patches, It's also a time of tremendous joy! We are absolutely LOVING it here and loving what we're doing! We're building lifelong friendships and making it very clear to these beautiful children that they are loved...not only by us but by God. As the Peace Corps would say, this is the "toughest job you'll ever love". ALONG with that joy is the other GREAT news. If you're reading this blog, you probably already know that Michelle is pregnant and we are expecting our second child in May!

What a roller coaster of emotions a second child brings (most of you know the whole story). What a range of emotions this whole adventure has been. I am completely in touch with the verse where Jesus says "I came that they might have LIFE...and have it to the full..."

This is life...this is life to the full. Every possible emotion, every possible reaction. Rainy season has come and gone.

Never mind the silver lining, the clouds are fine.

It doesn't mean I like it...it means it's life to the full.

RIP Habakkuk Ruth - January 26 2000 - November 2 2011